t given the key of
His treasury to any man or angel. Those heathen priests may have
been--some of them doubtless were--sincere. They had cried unto Baal for
help; they had implored his assistance; but neither the deaf idol nor the
listening devil who had invented idolatry could reach the source of the
flame which was to come, but not in reply to their desire.

It is well for us who are sometimes in perplexity because of the power of
evil to look at the helplessness of sin when in extremity. These
shrieking priests of Baal are a picture of many a one since, who has
cried for help and had no reply. Let the cholera come a little nearer
our shores. As I write these words I hear it is in Spain; it may be in
London before this is printed. There may be in the printing-office some
infidel compositor, but though he sneers at religion and those who
believe the Bible, he cannot keep away from the pestilence as silently it
steals along the street where he sleeps! The cholera would drive
infidelity away from many a scoffer were it but to slay a few hundreds of
Englishmen. How powerless are God's foes at such a time!

Should there come a universal drought that meant famine if there were not
showers to come copious and lasting, how many would look up to God who
now never think of Him! What could science and skill do for us when rain
is needed? A famine would make Bradlaugh very unpopular. "If the God of
the Christians does not help us by sending rain, what can we do but
starve," would be the cry. These prophets cutting themselves and howling
their own shame supply a picture of the powerlessness of sin when
confronted with necessity.

III.--THE FIRE FELL IN ANSWER TO PRAYER. What a scene is depicted in
verses 29 and 30! There were neither voice nor any to answer, nor any
that regarded, and Elijah said, "Yes, if we are on the side of God and
righteousness we can afford to wait." There will be a time when even
those who have opposed us shall long to see us act. The prophet waited
for his turn, and it came. How the priests would watch him as he
repaired the broken and neglected altar of God? Digging a trench round
the stones he had piled, and then laying the bullock on the wood, he sent
down to the shore for water, which he continued to pour on the sacrifice
till it had filled the trench. Ah! if the fire can consume that, it is
no trick. Those who live as near to God as Elijah did, can get fire
enough to conquer all